Pipes

One of the distinguishing features of the Hyde Park Chapel is the wonderful pipe organ. Many that come to the Visitors' Centre are impressed with the organ and it's beautiful sound. Linda was asked to play in Sacrament Meeting the last two Sundays. The regular organists were on holiday. The congregations sings loud in joyful praises!

Sister Neeley at the console of the Hyde Park Chapel Organ

In 1961, in the dedicatory prayer of the Hyde Park Chapel, President David O. McKay said:

“We dedicate the organ, built especially to render up music to thy name and holiness, built by able and capable men who devoted long hours to the establishment of this wonderful instrument. May it be held sacred in thy sight. Bless those who would play the organ that they will render such music that it will touch the heart and bring them to know thee and thy work.”

A section of pipes of the Hyde Park Chapel Organ

There are 43 ranks, 3 manuals (keyboards) and 2545 total pipes on the Hyde Park Chapel Organ. 

Go Ye into All the World

When we were in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) we went to one of the international branches for fast & testimony meeting Sunday morning. Twelve young elders and sisters shared their feelings about the gospel, they were from all over the world and each was so sincere. It was really something!

Yesterday there was a baptism for the parents of a young adult sister from China. She joined the church a year ago here in London and has been telling her parents, who live in China, all about it and sending them information. They have studied the gospel and came to London to visit, be taught and both were baptized before returning back to China. The whole meeting was in Mandarin Chinese, couldn’t understand a word, but wow, the spirit was there! The young man who baptized them joined the church 8 months ago. He was standing outside the Visitors’ Centre looking at the display monitor and one of the sister missionaries invited him in. He is an engineering student at Imperial College across the street. Now he serves in the YSA (young single adult) elders quorum. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives.

Smile Power

One of the great joys of serving in the Hyde Park Chapel Visitors' Centre has been to get to know the wonderful sister missionaries and senior couples serving there. A common feature is a glowing smile and a warm welcome to all who come to this place. The spirit of friendship and love is palpable and I can't help feeling this is just how the Savior would want us to feel.

Linda (Sister Neeley) and I feel it a privilege to get to know the other missionaries at the Centre and try to emulate their welcoming spirit as I am sure the Savior beckons to each of us with out-stretched arm and I feel certain, a welcoming smile.

We are all Brothers and Sisters

We have been so warmly welcomed by the Sister Missionaries and Senior Missionaries here in London, it has reinforced the knowledge we have that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father and that each of us are brothers and sisters.

Each morning we are greeted by the Visitors' Centre missionaries with hugs for Linda and a handshake for me.

Sister Cardall and the young Sister missionaries held a little surprise birthday party for Linda in the Cultural Hall adjacent to the Visitors' Centre. One FYI we have learned here is that the term "cultural hall" used all over the Church now originated in the Hyde Park Chapel as a description for the multi-use room as they were trying to get zoning approval for the building.

J.Paul and Alessandra have also made us feel welcome as we adjust to our new surroundings. It is such as blessing to have family near by!

We have been made to feel so welcome and loved here. We just hope that we can help all those who come to the Visitors' Centre feel the same way. We hope that when they enter they can feel the great love that our Heavenly Father has for each of his children.

We made it. Brilliant!

Thrilled to have J. Paul and Alessandra show us around!

A warm welcome...jet lag and all :-)

View from the back of our flat.

Visitor Center Training

Former directors of the St. George VC (Elder and Sister Morgan on the left) trained missionary couples going to  Kirkland, Ohio, London Hyde Park, Portland Oregon Temple VC, Cove Fort, and two couples going to the new Priesthood Restoration VC in PA.

On Our Way

After 9 wonderful days at the Missionary Training Center we are excited to enter our field of labor. 

 

We hope we will act well our part!

Linda finishes a few notes on our last day of training.

A Visit to Temple Square

On the first day of our Visitor Center specific training we made a visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We were especially attentive of all of the tour groups going through and the way they were so warmly met and guided by the missionaries. We met the director of visitor centers for the Church and were taken on an informative tour by sister missionaries from Taiwan and California. The tour included the basement of the south Visitor Center where amazing online missionary work is done.

Tender Mercies

Elders from New Guinea and Idaho going to Fiji. Elder Grimaud is from our stake.

Sister Anderson from Ammon going to Rome, Italy, played violin in one meeting. 

We have the same violin teacher, Emma!

While visiting with our family, Elder Colby Butler from Idaho Falls walked by:)

Wearing Grandma Linda's nametag:) Sister Neeley

On this Day of Joy and Gladness

We have had a wonderful Sunday at the MTC. After Sacrament Meeting and a Mission Conference, Sister Neeley and I enjoyed a walk around the Provo Temple.

Preach My Gospel

There are 70 senior missionaries in our group this week along with 1500+ young elders and sisters. Our district of 8 has a couple serving at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, one couple in their home stake in Utah, one senior single sister serving in the mission office in Washington DC and the other in Virginia. Our young instructors have been amazing!

Invite All to Come Unto Christ

We are having a great time at the wonderful MTC, learning a lot, meeting many interesting people and feeling an abundance of the spirit of the Lord.